Govt to expand neurosurgery services in state hospitals

theSundaily KOTA KINABALU (May 25, 2012): The Health Ministry plans to expand neurosurgery services in state hospitals under the 10th Malaysia Plan, Deputy Health Minister Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said here today.

The federal government was committed to developing surgical sub-specialties in the country, including in Sabah, in the various disciplines, such as neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery and paediatric surgery, she said in her remarks at the 12th Annual Scientific Meeting and Annual General Meeting of the Neurosurgical Association of Malaysia.

Rosnah pointed out that since 2004, neurosurgical services in Sabah have evolved from 'no service available' to monthly visits by surgeons and subsequently in-house neurosurgical services by resident specialists.

She said she had personally witnessed the development of the neurosurgical department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, having collaborated with it on many previous occasions.

"What was once a dream is now a reality for the people of Sabah. We have seen the commencement of rehabilitative medicine, which was absent in the state of Sabah for many years. A great void has been filled and the patients now receive specialist-level rehabilitation and therapy to help them on their way back to a productive and fulfilling life.

"We cannot deny the importance of a good rehab care for patients who have undergone a neurosurgical procedure," she said.

Rosnah said that despite the setback in terms of hospital infrastructure, the government had been ceaseless in its effort to ensure that the people of Sabah benefited from adequate and quality health care.

She said the new tower block of Queen Elizabeth Hospital was under construction.

"Once the hospital is completed, we will then see a multi-disciplinary service which will incorporate neurosurgery, neurology, spine surgery and stroke care, including neuro-rehabilitation, neuro-intensive care and neuro-radiology.

"This is much-needed given the fact that the number of neurosurgical cases in the state has been steadily increasing from year to year. This centre will integrate brain and spine care under one roof to ensure optimal care for the patients," she said. – Bernama